New Web site promotes engaged learning

11/05/2008

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A recently launched Web site focuses on engaged learning at Miami:www.muohio.edu/EngagedLearning/. The site showcases faculty and staff initiatives to advance students' engaged learning and seeks to be a resource to other Miami educators.

"At this point, the site is designed primarily with all educators across the university in mind," says Carolyn Haynes, director of Miami's honors and scholars program. "We hope that in the future, the site can be expanded to focus more pointedly on students and how we can encourage them to foster their own and others' engaged learning across the university."

Site highlights include examples of engaged learning by students including Courtney Cochran, as vice president of Associated Student Government; Michelle Fakler and her volunteer work at a clinic in Cleveland; and Brett Roeth and his publications based on experiences at an experimental city in Arizona; as well as programs like a study of marine life in New Zealand offered by Miami's Outdoor Pursuit Center.

The site is interactive, with educators in all divisions encouraged to submit ideas.
Site design is by Kristy Burton, associate director of the honors and scholars program. Content was developed by a team from academic and student affairs that has been working for the past year to generate ideas on how to foster developmentally focused opportunities for engaged learning among students.

Others involved include Haynes, Marcia Baxter-Magolda, Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership; Kari Taylor, associate director for student development, honors and scholars; Jerry Olson, director of residence life; Michael Dantley, professor of educational leadership and associate provost; Jerry Stonewater, director of liberal education and assessment; Andrew Beckett, adjunct assistant professor of educational leadership and associate dean of students; and a learning community with members representing 15 departments and programs who meet regularly with a goal to develop students into mature scholars and practitioners who will make an impact on society and their fields of study.